Gift Question

LizzyTish88

Okay so BF has decided that he wants a new TV. (He still lives at home with his mom) He had one in his room that was dying, so his mom went out and bought a new one, a flat screen HD TV. I guess she bought it to give him her old one from the living room, but she never told him that. The one from the living room is a huge blocky TV that doesn't have HD and that's really want BF wants. He also wants one so that it doesn't take up a ton of room (this thing is a dinosaur!)

So I was thinking of maybe getting him one for Christmas. I was talking to his mom and she made it clear that she does not want him getting one, because she doesn't want to get rid of the huge TV because it still works. It is too big for her room, so they have no where else to go in the house and her family doesn't need one because a lot of them don't watch TV.

My only thing is that I know him and I know that he is going to buy one himself. He really doesn't care what she says, he wants a new one and a nice one at that. It's not his fault she went and got a new one, that she is now saying "she never really wanted" because she never told him that to begin with. She also won't trade them either. So I don't know what to do.

I don't want to start a fight because she specifically told me that she doesn't want him buying a new TV, but I know he is going to do it anyways, so I feel like I could be nice and help him out. What would you do?

(Sorry this got so long)

MLekathLEEN

If he's going to get one, let him do it. I wouldn't want to go against mom, especially if she already told you not to. If it were my mom, I'd buy it but if it were FI's mom, I wouldn't. It would probably cause drama with any potential MIL and I'd want to avoid that if necessary.

Note: FMIL and I have an awesome relationship and she's the most laid back person ever but I still would go behind her wishes. Let BF deal with the wrath.

PaigeMcC

I wouldn't get one.  If you know he's going to do it then let him step in that pile.  I would try to keep your relationship with BF's mom as drama free as possible.  

LizzyTish88

Yeah that was my thoughts, I just wanted an opinion. I had thought about it, but she just told me this past weekend that she didn't want it, so now I need a new idea. She's friggen nuts, so I don't want to get on her bad side, I just wish she would realize that BF is a grown man and will do what he wants. Hopefully we will be moving out soon enough that we can get a TV for our apartment and she can stick it where the sun don't shine!

calindi

Yeah, this sounds like a bunch of trouble.

First, that's a lot of money on a Christmas gift in my opinion.  Especially if you're still living with your parents - save some of that money so you can afford your own place eventually.

Let him buy his own television, if that's what he's going to do.    Don't get in the middle of their conflict - it's so not worth it on a variety of levels.

bakes218

I agree with everyone...stay out of it. That does seem like a lot of  money to be spending. If you are living at home you should be saving money, not spending it.

jemmini6

I agree with not getting involved in that situation, but you could also suggest (if BF decides that he does want to buy his own tv) that perhaps they can sell the old one on craigslist or something?

bsidebella

The only thing I can say is at least convince him to buy a TV on/around Black Friday. If He buys one now he might spend all that money on something that's gonna drop in price in a week. FI wanted a 38" flat screen TV and waited until Black Friday to do it and it saved him something like $250.

loopy82

Wow. She doesn't sound like a fun FMIL. I am suprised that she said her grown son can not get a new TV because she does not want him to. But I guess I do agree, that if you buy one she can hold it against you. It is much easier if her son goes against what she forbids.

Another idea is a gift card to an electronics store. I know gift cards are lame, however, that way he can use it towards a TV, but it wouldn't be you directly buying the TV.

whereyat

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_gift-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:a3d1ffc1-4e9a-4567-9498-5d2109b06aeaPost:dad4e8bc-f421-4e6c-b16b-54fd7f2714b3">Re: Gift Question</a>:
[QUOTE] Let him buy his own television, if that's what he's going to do.    Don't get in the middle of their conflict - it's so not worth it on a variety of levels.
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

This.  It's their issue, not yours.